NFL superstar Adrian Peterson’s son has died at a South Dakota hospital after he was allegedly beaten by the boy’s mother’s boyfriend, according to multiple reports.

The all-world running back was absent from Minnesota Vikings practice on Thursday to be in Sioux Falls, S.D., Stu Whitney of the Argus Leader reported Thursday.

It was first reported the victim was his 2-year-old, Adrian Jr., but the Nelson Peterson, the running back’s father, said it was another one of Adrian’s children, who is also 2.

“We are asking for prayers and for respect for our family as deal with this tragic situation,” Nelson Peterson told former Vikings reporter Sean Jensen.

Joseph Patterson, 27, has been charged with aggravated felony assault and battery of an infant after he allegedly gave Peterson’s son “severe head injuries.” According to the report, law enforcement and emergency responders arrived at the apartment where Peterson’s son lives at 5:46 p.m. on Wednesday and found the child unresponsive. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors determined his injuries were consistent with abuse.

Peterson returned to the team Friday. He declined to address the situation specifically, but said he would play Sunday against the Panthers.

Peterson smiled politely while he took questions, but he spoke softly with a somber expression with dozens of cameras, recorders and media members surrounding him in the locker room, according to the Associated Press.

“I’ll be ready to roll, focused,” Peterson said. “Football is something I will always fall back on. It gets me through tough times. Just being around the guys in here, that’s what I need.”

AP also posted a few tweets yesterday:

We’re glad he has football to help him cope. Our thoughts and prayers are definitely with AP and his family.

Here’s more information on his relationship with his son via TMZ reports:

Adrian Peterson only recently learned he was the father of a 2-year-old boy in South Dakota … and met him for the first time Thursday … while the boy was on life support, TMZ has learned.

Multiple sources connected to the situation tell us … roughly 2-3 months ago, the mother of the child had a paternity test done with an ex she suspected to be the father, in an effort to collect child support from him.

But the test turned up negative, so the woman went to Adrian … with whom she had a sexual encounter several years ago.

We’re told … when Adrian was first informed about the matter, he didn’t question the possibility he was the dad — but rather asked how he could help the situation.

Sources tell us … a few weeks ago, A.P. started to plan a trip to South Dakota to meet the child for the first time and he was supposed to fly out later this month.

But when he heard the news about the attack on the 2-year-old, Peterson dropped everything and jetted over to Sioux Falls as soon as he could.

We’re told Adrian met the child for the first time while the boy was on life support.

Multiple sources tell us … Adrian has been very involved since the tragedy and was the one pushing the have the child’s organs donated to other people in need of a transplant.

As for the suspect, Joey Patterson, we’re told Adrian has never met the guy.

We reached out to Adrian and the mother of the child for comment — so far, no word back from either side.

We don’t want to judge the mother during this tragic time, but these reports are not a great reflection of her character. SMH. We are praying for her too.

If you haven’t had a chance take a look at the monster that took this precious innocent life!

Ironically the Facebook page that the second photo was taken from is full of photos with Patterson and a little boy.